Page 23 - September 2020

Curated Life Journeys THE PAVILLIONS HIMALAYAS LAKEVIEW
Pokhara, Nepal

Life is a journey to be experienced and the havens of The

Pavilion’s Hotels & Resorts are places for guests to explore
their passions, to expect the unexpected and to connect
to the world’s most exciting cultures. Here, RLI sits down

with company Founder Gordon Oldham to discuss the
challenges Covid-19 has brought to the business and how THE PAVILLIONS AMSTERDAM, THE TOREN “We are all about the experience. We look for

this will alter the company moving forward. unique off the beaten track locations which
embody our philosophy of delivering these unique
experiences to our guests.

THE PAVILLIONS EL NIDO, PALAWAN ISLAND
Philippines

THE PAVILLIONS PHUKET THE PAVILLIONS PHUKET
Thailand Thailand

riven by a sense of adventure and unconventional “For hotels and tourism, domestic travel will be the primary property are the ultimate match for Pavilions Hotels & Resorts, Social media is a big part of the company’s marketing
thinking, The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts are here driver for each location around the world and we have had to and when completed the ten-hectare beachfront estate will boast efforts and they experienced a large increase in engagement
to help guests discover more of what this exciting adapt to this. Guests will be looking for experiences and not panoramic tropical ocean views, an adventure park, dive centre, during lockdown, which they expected. What was new
D world has to offer. The Pavilions is not just another just a hotel room, which ties-in with our ethos of delivering our waterfalls and adventure walks, Pavilion signature spa & wellness to them was that they have still seen this high rate of
group of hotels and they want to be seen as a “stand-alone” guests an experience that go beyond their expectations and facilities and unique dining experiences,” Oldham explains engagement post-lockdown which highlights that they have
group that are different and who do not follow protocol. this can be seen in our Curated Journeys. These are bespoke The ‘Curated Journeys’ that The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts found a delicate balance.
The company has a selection of properties across Europe travel itineraries with the philosophy of ‘it’s not just about offer are bespoke travel itineraries and experiences and are Oldham believes that finding good partners is the key to
and Asia. Across Europe they have sites in Madrid, Spain, where the guests’ want to go, but how they want to feel’.” a key way that the company ensure that their destinations success in anything and the philosophy behind the business
Amsterdam in the Netherlands and two sites in Rome, Italy. During the lockdown, the business utilised the time to renovate, remain attractive and exciting. The eight different themes is that they want to build an ecosystem – to look after those
In Asia, they have sites in Bali, Indonesia, Phuket in Thailand, update hotel collaterals and F&B offerings, and implement all on offer are: Like A Boss, Just The Two Of Us, Into The they employ, to empower the communities in which they
two in the Himalayas and one in Mongolia. World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations in Wild, We Are Family, Like A Chef, Feeling Good, Out Of operate and to build relationships with their guests that will
They also have a selection of sites opening in the next regards to new hygiene standards, which has further enhanced Office and Haute Culture. Handcrafted to each property, see them return again and again.
two years. In Europe, a new Rome location will open in their hotels. Moving forward, Oldham feels it will take time to the Curated Journeys last between three to five days and “With this in mind, we look for those that want to become
2021, along with a site in Niseko, Japan. In 2022, these will return to the growth they were seeing and experiencing at the they are designed by the hotel and resorts’ local experts to a partner in helping us build an even greater Pavilions brand,
be joined by a Lisbon site in Portugal and one in El Nido start of the year, and that this will come down to when borders encompass an emotive experience for guests. not just owners or properties,” Oldham explains.
in the Philippines. Aside from hotels, they also operate four open and restrictions relax around the globe. “We strive to deliver experiences beyond expectations. What lies ahead and what do you perceive to be the
residencies; Phuket and Cape Amarin in Thailand, Niseko in Moving away from coronavirus, what is it that initially Our unique locations paired with the local experts, who greatest challenge facing the company?
Japan and El Nido in the Philippines. attracts you to new properties? have discovered the hidden secrets of these locations, craft “We are all waiting for restrictions to ease, borders to
“Given the current market conditions, I believe every “We are all about the experience. We look for unique off bespoke adventures for our guests each time they visit. We open and tourism to return to normal. I think we are all
industry has had to re-think their strategies and objectives the beaten track locations which embody our philosophy of have guests who have returned over 20 times to a property quite aware that this will be a slow road. But it’s what we do
moving into the remainder of 2020 and 2021,” claims delivering these unique experiences to our guests. For El Nido, because of the relationships they have developed with our with the time we have now to enhance our offerings to our
Gordon Oldham, Founder of The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts. Palawan Island for example, the adventure elements of this team and I couldn’t ask for more,” says Oldham. guests for when we can welcome them back.”

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